Legal Support Services at Washburn University

Washburn manages to keep debt exceptionally low for this bachelor's program—$20,250 puts it well below the $27,875 national median for legal support services degrees and in the 90th percentile nationally (meaning only 10% of similar programs nationwide have lower debt). That's a meaningful advantage when similar programs elsewhere often saddle graduates with $7,000 more in loans.

The challenge lies in the earnings side. Based on peer programs nationally, first-year salaries hover around $36,900, which translates to a 0.55 debt-to-earnings ratio—manageable but not impressive for a four-year degree. The field itself appears to have limited wage growth potential, with even the 75th percentile nationally reaching only $42,160. Legal support roles, while stable, typically don't command the salaries that justify extended bachelor's-level study when associate degrees or certificates might achieve similar outcomes faster and cheaper.

For parents weighing this investment, the controlled debt load matters more here than usual. If your child is committed to legal support work and values the broader liberal arts foundation of a bachelor's degree, Washburn's low borrowing requirement reduces the risk of a field with modest earning potential. But push for clarity on career outcomes specific to Washburn's program—job placement rates, employer connections in Kansas legal markets, and whether graduates actually need the bachelor's credential for roles they're targeting versus more focused paralegal training.